Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) is one of the methods currently used to produce composite structures in an automated fashion. When using thermoplastic materials, in-situ consolidation can be achieved when using a laser as a heating source. However, lasers are a big investment and comes with safety concerns. An alternative heating method, using pulsed light, has been developed recently. The advantages are that the safety concerns are not as high and would thus allow easier implementation in an industrial environment, while it delivers highly controllable heat to the process area.

The goal of this project is to investigate the possibilities of using pulsed light as an alternative heat source to achieve in-situ consolidation for thermoplastic composite material in automated fibre placement. The research will be conducted at SAM XL (SAMXL): they will take care of the integration of the heating system on their robot, but the correct operation and manufacturing parameters definition is to be investigated within this project. The technology evaluation should include (but is not limited to) microstructural characterisation, structural characterisation and determining bounds on the manufacturing parameters used during automated fibre placement (i.e., manufacturing envelope). For this research the HUMM3 heating system will be utilized. You will spend time both at the faculty of aeropace engineering and SAM XL.

This position is part of the mobiliteitsfonds RDM-LH2 and will be jointly supervised by Daniël Peeters, Julie Teuwen both part of the Aerospace Structures and Materials section, and a representatives of SAM XL.

We are looking for an enthusiastic researcher with excellent qualifications with a PhD degree (or equivalent) in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related subject.

Affinity with experimental work relating to composite manufacturing is strongly preferred. Experience with research on thermoplastic composites is a big plus.

You should have a very good command of English language, in direct communication as well as writing skills and should enjoy working in an interdisciplinary environment.

You are expected to publish scientific articles and participate in international conferences.

For this position a knowledge embargo may be necessary, you should be able to obtain one before the contract can be officially signed if necessary. 

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (based on scale 10: € 2.960,00 - € 4.670,00). The employment contract is for 2 years and the position is for 36-40 hours per week. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Aerospace Engineering

The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is one of the world’s most highly ranked (and most comprehensive) research, education and innovation communities devoted entirely to aerospace engineering. More than 200 science staff, around 270 PhD candidates and close to 3000 BSc and MSc students apply aerospace engineering disciplines to address the global societal challenges that threaten us today, climate change without doubt being the most important. Our focal subjects: sustainable aerospace, big data and artificial intelligence, bio-inspired engineering and smart instruments and systems. Working at the faculty means working together. With partners in other faculties, knowledge institutes, governments and industry, both aerospace and non-aerospace. Working in field labs and innovation hubs on our university campus and beyond. 

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.

SAMXL

Smart Advanced Manufacturing XL, SAM XL, is a collaborative research centre at the TU Delft Campus setup as a non-profit foundation with an innovation community. We develop, demonstrate and de-risk smart manufacturing solutions for and with the low-volume high-variation manufacturing sector. We focus on automated production processes of large-size, lightweight structures made of exotic materials with tight tolerances. Our solutions find their way into high-tech sectors such as aerospace, maritime and wind-energy. Workshops, masterclasses and consulting services ensure that skills and knowledge are transferred to the SAM XL Participants and offer SMEs the opportunity to improve more general manufacturing technologies.